Leeds United have once again announced that they will be sponsoring this year's Leeds Pride celebration.
The Whites are in the midst of a tense playoff battle as they look to climb back into the Premier League next season, but they have still made the all-important time to help out the city's annual festival and parade.
Along with Leeds United's official LGBTQ+ supporters group, Marching Out Together, the Yorkshire club has confirmed they will be serving as infrastructure sponsor for the second year running, having previously backed the event in other capacities.
2024 marks the 19th year of Leeds Pride, which champions inclusivity, diversity and acceptance, as well as acting as a platform for education whilst highlighting the ongoing fight for quality and inclusion.
The promotion hopefuls first took their infrastructure role in 2023 - having previously become the first UK club to have a member of their first team, Luke Ayling, attend Pride - and will once again be helping the operate the day through funding.
Leeds Pride is one of the biggest one-day festivals in the city centre and continues to grow year-on-year, with more than 70,000 people choosing to visit the parade and various other associated events in 2023 alone.
As detailed in an official statement from United, "This is a testament to the progress and acceptance achieved over the years, but there is still work to be done, and the club will continue to support and help where possible to ensure members of the LGBTQ+ community feel empowered to be their true selves."
Leeds strong support for the LGBTQ+ community is exhibiting not only through their dedicated Marching Out Together fan group but in backing campaigns like Rainbow Laces and Football v Homophobia throughout the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xjEGCTpqUA
The team and supporters club support several other similar initiatives in local schools and organisations.
As well as acting as a key sponsor for the seventh year running, Pride 2024 is also set to see further representation on the day from staff, as well as both current and former Leeds United players.
A spokesperson from Marching Out Together said: "It’s fantastic to see once again Leeds United proudly announce their sponsorship of Leeds Pride this year. It sends out such a powerful message of support to the LGBTQ+ community.
"We are now working with the club to ensure we enjoy another successful day at the wonderful Leeds Pride, and our thanks go to all those players and staff at Leeds United who give such valuable support throughout the year to the work of Marching Out Together."
This years Leeds Pride Parade takes place on Sunday, 21 July and is set to be a truly wonderful celebration as always. You can find out more down below.
Leeds is set to become one big fat coffee festival this September.
Born in Manchester, Slurpfest is a much-love celebration of coffee that is coming to the city for the first time ever.
Working alongside the Slurpfest founders, North Star Coffee Roasters and headline sponsors Oatly and Indie Coffee Guide are bringing the festival to Leeds on Saturday 26 September with over 30 venues already signed up to take part.
The festival is designed to showcase the incredible talent, creativity and community behind Leeds’ thriving independent coffee scene, bringing together independent cafés, coffeenprofessionals, roasters and coffee lovers for a weekend of tastings, workshops, events and experiences.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
“Leeds has an amazing independent coffee scene and we want to celebrate the people who make it so special,” said Holly Kragiopoulos. “Slurpfest is about bringing the whole coffee community together and turning the entire city into one big festival. Best of all, so many of the events are completely free, making it super accessible for everyone to get involved and try something new.”
Unlike a traditional festival held in one location, Slurpfest Leeds will take over the whole city, with coffee shops and venues across Leeds hosting their own events throughout the weekend.
We're talking tastings, workshops, a city-wide coffee trail, an opening and closing party as well as a full day of coffee workshops, talks and experiences at North Star’s Coffee Hub at Leeds Dock.
“We’re super excited to see the city of Leeds take on Slurp Fest and make it their own” said Nat, Slurpfest Co-Founder.
Tickets for individual events are expected to be released from August, with the full festival programme announced soon.
A bakery serving giant NYC-style cookies and fluffy cinnamon buns has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
If you've got a seriously sweet tooth, then you're going to love this new opening.
It seems like there's been a flurry of new bakeries popping up in and around Leeds recently, and we're certainly not complaining.
Introducing Crumbb, a beautiful new bakery that has just opened its doors on Hyde Park Road just moments outside of the city centre.
Owner Naila started the businesses as a wholesaler six years ago, stocking up local businesses from far and wide with sweet treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Since then, Crumbbs opened its first location in Bradford just a few months ago that has been nothing short of a resounding success. So much so, that Crumbbs 2.0 was born right here in Leeds a few days ago.
Right, let's talk you through what's on offer.
For the sweet toothed out there, there's a whole myriad of treats for you to enjoy. We're talking giant NYC-style cookies, fluffy cinnamon buns topped with gooey icing, brownies slices, cookie muffins, rocky road, flapjack, the list is truly endless.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can even get warm cookie trays and hot brownies to enjoy in house that can be topped with ice cream or thick custard.
And it doesn't stop there, Crumbbs also whip up freshly baked savoury focaccia slices as well as cheese twists, pizza slices and savoury rolls filled with creamy mozzarella and herbs.
They've also got a fabulous drink selection on offer including matcha, coffee and hot chocolates.
Located in Headingley, we've got a feeling this spot is going to be a huge hit with students and locals alike looking to get their sweet treat fix. But they'll have to beat us to it first.
Danny Jones -
16th May 2024 
